I am from Shiga prefecture in Japan now studying as a graduate student at Saint Michael's Collegein Vermont, USA . There are some common aspects between my hometown and Vermont. I grew up in a quite safe and clean neighborhood surrounded by rich green and fresh air like Vermont. In my childhood, I often hiked the mountains near my place bringing lunch with my family and friends. When I was a senior in college, I studied abroad in the USA as an exchange student. It was one of the best moments in my life. Now, here I am back in the states again, and consider the USA my second hometown.
What I think is special about my hometown is a festival which is held for three days in April. This is called "Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri", which celebrates the birth of a child of the well known general Hideyoshi Toyotomiin the Azuchi-momoyama era. In this festival, boys under 12 years old perform kabuki, a performance with stylized movement, speech and dress; since the general had been waiting for the birth of a boy as his successor, and since girls were not allowed to inherit, girls are not allowed to even get on the stage.
Kabuki
Regarding my work experience, I have had two types of jobs in full time capacity; one is to teach English at elementary school while the other was working as a sales associate at a securities firm. Both experiences gave me many insights and thoughts about my future career. These insights and thoughts made me determined to start graduate study. In the future, I am hoping to teach English at high school as the first step of my new career as an English teacher.
About my personal interests: I like doing active things such as swimming and running; and hanging out with friends when I have free time. I also like reading fantasy novels, and various other kinds of books.
I am from Shiga prefecture in Japan now studying as a graduate student at Saint Michael's Collegein Vermont, USA . There are some common aspects between my hometown and Vermont. I grew up in a quite safe and clean neighborhood surrounded by rich green and fresh air like Vermont. In my childhood, I often hiked the mountains near my place bringing lunch with my family and friends. When I was a senior in college, I studied abroad in the USA as an exchange student. It was one of the best moments in my life. Now, here I am back in the states again, and consider the USA my second hometown.
What I think is special about my hometown is a festival which is held for three days in April. This is called "Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri", which celebrates the birth of a child of the well known general Hideyoshi Toyotomiin the Azuchi-momoyama era. In this festival, boys under 12 years old perform kabuki, a performance with stylized movement, speech and dress; since the general had been waiting for the birth of a boy as his successor, and since girls were not allowed to inherit, girls are not allowed to even get on the stage.
Regarding my work experience, I have had two types of jobs in full time capacity; one is to teach English at elementary school while the other was working as a sales associate at a securities firm. Both experiences gave me many insights and thoughts about my future career. These insights and thoughts made me determined to start graduate study. In the future, I am hoping to teach English at high school as the first step of my new career as an English teacher.
About my personal interests: I like doing active things such as swimming and running; and hanging out with friends when I have free time. I also like reading fantasy novels, and various other kinds of books.
Developed by Mika Sakamoto. GSL520/GED565: Computer-Assisted Language Learning Online Saint Michale's College Last updated on June 19th, 2010. email: msakamoto@smcvt.edu